By Kim McDarison
State Rep. Don Vruwink was welcomed Thursday by Fort Atkinson-based Opportunities Inc., where he received a tour of three of the company’s operational facilities.
Among buildings toured by Vruwink were two of the company’s co-manufacturing buildings, both of which are located within a cluster of buildings operated by the company on East Cramer Street, and its newest facility, a fulfillment and training center, located in the former Badger Press property at 100 East Blackhawk Dr. An open house, including tours of the facility, was held last September.
An earlier story about the fulfillment center is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/opportunities-buys-badger-group-building-for-advanced-fulfillment-and-training-center/.
The purpose of the visit on Thursday, Vruwink said, was to continue his efforts to learn about the people within the district he serves.
Before redistricting of Wisconsin’s legislative maps in April, Vruwink was the representative of Assembly District 43. After redistricting, he is running for the open seat in Assembly District 33. The new district includes Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Milton, Helenville, Hebron, Sullivan, Oakland and Palmyra and a portion of the city of Whitewater which resides in Jefferson County.
An earlier story about legislative redistricting in Wisconsin is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/musical-maps-assembly-and-state-senate-districts-drawn/.
Vruwink, a resident of Milton and the only Democrat running for the seat, will be joined on the partisan primary ballot in August by Republicans Scott Johnson and Dale Oppermann, both of Jefferson. Candidates advancing from the August primary election, including one Democrat and one Republican, will next race in the general election in November. The winner of the general election will claim the open seat.
About Opportunities, Inc.
Before touring the facilities, Vruwink met with representatives from the Opportunities, Inc., leadership team, including President and CEO Barbara LeDuc, Vice President of Sales and Customer Service Jason Frey and Vice President of Mission Advancement Robin Kennedy. The group discussed the development of the company’s facilities, its mission and the services it provides.
During the meeting, LeDuc noted that Opportunities, Inc., has been in business for more than 55 years, and has, according to a handout provided to Fort Atkinson Online, “continued to expand its mission through comprehensive vocational training and employment services for youth and adults, customized programs including birth to 3, life skills academy, apprenticeship, community integration, and supportive home care for individuals with diverse abilities to advance independence and build a meaningful life.”
Among stakeholders, the organization’s handout listed: “those with physical and intellectual disabilities, limited work experience, mental health and crisis, alcohol and other drug abuse issues, language challenges, economic disadvantages, employment dislocation, reentry, and past military experience.”
LeDuc described the company as a leader in social enterprise through co-manufacturing, staffing, and custom design and print services, which it offers to its business partners while “promoting positive advancement for the community.”
The handout stated that the company’s mission statement is to “provide services for individuals for the purpose of maximizing their success and enhancing their abilities to be independent, contributing members of the community.”
In addition, a provided vision statement read: “Social enterprises will combine keen business mindset with community focused mission to expand employment and independence for all stakeholders.”
During the meeting, LeDuc said the company engages more than 300 youth and adults with diverse abilities in competitive employment annually.
Further, she said, less than 25% of the company’s operating budget is provided through government funding.
The company collaborates with over 400 state, national and international businesses in e-commerce, packaging, assembly, staffing and graphic design and print services, according to the provided handout.
After receiving an overview of the company and its purpose from LeDuc, Frey and Kennedy escorted Vruwink through the co-manufacturing portion of the building.
The tour
During the tour of the co-manufacturing facilities on the main campus, Vruwink met with several individuals with unique abilities employed by Opportunities Inc. in a variety of functions. Many were eager to greet their visitor and shake his hand.
Vruwink also met several staff members employed by Opportunities, Inc., who help oversee operations on the various production and assembly floors.
Arriving at the fulfillment and training center on Blackhawk Drive, Vruwink was offered a tour of the company’s distribution center, which Frey described as a “mini-Amazon.”
Inside the company’s fulfillment and training center, different products are packaged and shipped.
Among them is a Madison-based company called ZenToes, LLC, which, Frey said, is manufactured on the Opportunities, Inc., campus, as well as packaged and shipped. He pointed to a card packaged within each piece produced and shipped to ZenToe’s customers, which read: “Your product has been handled with dignity and purpose by an individual with diverse abilities who works at Opportunities, Inc., in Wisconsin.”
He highlighted the company as a good example of the types of partnerships Opportunities, Inc., works to form with its manufacturers. Opportunities, Inc., takes pride in its ability to perform all aspects of bringing the ZenToes’ product through the production process, he said.
After touring the fulfillment and training center, Vruwink met with members of the A-Team Wisconsin, including its Government Affairs Director Joel Kleefisch, Family Leader Rick Wilson, and Self-Advocate Chris Wilson. Kennedy also attended the meeting.
The group talked about the logistics involved in supplying individuals with unique abilities with opportunities, career paths and skills that enhance their ability to live full, productive and happy lives.
A-Team USA, was begun in Wisconsin, according to its website, to “unite persons with diverse abilities and their families to advocate in a grassroots effort, create awareness in the community, and advise those who care for our citizens with special needs to ensure a full array of choices.” The group has engaged with Vruwink before.
In April, the group recognized Vruwink with its “Champion of Choice” award for his “leadership in ensuring a full array of work, home and life choices for people with diverse abilities,” a press release supplied by Vruwink’s office in April stated.
Vruwink was presented with the award at KANDU industries in Janesville.
KANDU Industries is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities to people with disabilities and disadvantages, according to its website.
An earlier story about the award is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/a-team-usa-names-vruwink-champion-of-choice/.
Photos from Vruwink’s visit to Opportunities, Inc. Thursday follow.
An Opportunities, Inc. employee visits with State Rep. Don Vruwink during a tour of one of the company’s co-manufacturing and assembly facilities. The employee was assembling lanyards for a firm that partners with Opportunities, Inc.
Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Sales and Customer Service Jason Frey, standing, at left, explains to State Rep. Don Vruwink activities underway on the assembly floor.
State Rep. Don Vruwink visits with an Opportunities, Inc., staff member, at left, and an Opportunities, Inc., employee within a room where work is performed in conjunction with one of the company’s outreach programs called i-Closet.
Barbara LeDuc, president and CEO of Opportunities, Inc., at right, shares an overview of the company and its mission with State Rep. Don Vruwink, not pictured. Robin Kennedy, vice president of mission advancement with Opportunities, Inc., also is in attendance.
Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Sales and Customer Service Jason Frey, from left, manager of Don Vruwink’s campaign Leah Jesse, Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Mission Advancement Robin Kennedy and Vruwink move between buildings as they tour the company’s Cramer Street campus.
State Rep. Don Vruwink takes a moment to meet and talk with Opportunities, Inc., employee Nicholas, who was busy at work in the company’s fulfillment center.
Opportunities Inc., fulfillment center supervisor Cory, at left, greets State Rep. Don Vruwink.
State Rep. Don Vruwink, at left, learns from Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Sales and Customer Service Jason Frey about the process used in the fulfillment center to pick and assemble orders.
An insert within products made by a Madison-based company called ZenToes, LLC, includes a message about Opportunities, Inc, which reads: “Your product has been handled with dignity and purpose by an individual with diverse abilities who works at Opportunities, Inc., in Wisconsin.”
Members of the A-Team Wisconsin visit with State Rep. Don Vruwink to talk about their mission, which, the group’s website states, is to: “unite persons with diverse abilities and their families to advocate in a grassroots effort, create awareness in the community, and advise those who care for our citizens with special needs to ensure a full array of choices.” Meeting with Vruwink are A-Team Government Affairs Director Joel Kleefisch, from left, A-Team self-advocate Chris Wilson (who is seated behind Kleefisch), Vruwink, A-Team Family Leader Rick Wilson, and Opportunities, Inc., Vice President of Mission Advancement Robin Kennedy.
Kim McDarison photos.
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